Kampmann out, Ellenberger faces Saunders at UFC 111 in March

UFC welterweight contender Martin Kampmann (16-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) has withdrawn from a UFC 111 bout with Ben Saunders (8-1-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), and Jake Ellenberger (22-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has agreed to take the fight with a little less than seven-weeks’ notice.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) learned of the change from sources close to the bout, though the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

The Kampmann vs. Saunders bout was slated for the main card of UFC 111, which takes place March 27 in Newark, N.J. It’s currently unknown if the organization will adjust the bout order following the change.

Kampmann was forced to withdraw after suffering an undisclosed injury in training. Sources close to the fighter assured MMAjunkie.com that the injury was not severe and that Kampmann could return as soon as May, but there was simply no way for the Danish striker to remain on the March card.

Kampmann, a former middleweight contender, had hoped to build on the momentum of a UFC 108 win over Jacob Volkmann in January. Although best known for his standup skills, Kampmann earned the win by submission, the sixth such victory of his career. Kampmann is now 3-1 in the UFC’s 170-pound division; the lone came to Paul Daley this past September.

Saunders also recently rebounded from a loss. After dropping a June 2009 bout to Mike Swick, the American Top Team product responded back with a devastating knockout win over Marcus Davis at UFC 106 in November. With additional wins over Brandon Wolff, Ryan Thomas and Daniel Barrera, Saunders has now won four of his five career UFC outings.

Meanwhile, Ellenberger steps in quickly after notching his first UFC win. The 24-year-old (who celebrates his birthday the day after UFC 111) earned an impressive TKO win over veteran Mike Pyle at UFC 108 in January.

Ellenberger debuted for the UFC with a hard-fought decision loss to former WEC champion Carlos Condit at UFC Fight Night 19 in September 2009.

For complete coverage of UFC 111, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

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